Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
RES - 2018 - 085 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION <br /> Adopt Best Management Practices for Roadsides and Utility Rights - ofmWay that <br /> Benefit Pollinators and Native Plants in ® range County , NC <br /> WHEREAS , in a 2012 resolution the BOCC committed " to the conservation of roadside <br /> wildflowers along the roadways of Orange County ; " and <br /> WHEREAS , the roadsides and utility rights - of-way of Orange County support numerous plant <br /> species that only occur in these open habitats such as the locally rare Indian paintbrush and <br /> yellow-fringed orchids and <br /> WHEREAS , the vegetation in roadsides and utility rights - of-way are an important resource for <br /> maintaining biodiversity in native pollinators such as wild bees ; and <br /> WHEREAS , many scientific studies support the conclusion that wild pollinator biodiversity <br /> enhances agricultural productivity ; and <br /> WHEREAS , improper vegetation management , such as poorly timed or indiscriminate use of <br /> herbicides may harm some rare plant species , reduce pollinator and wildlife habitat , and detract <br /> from the aesthetic value of our colorful and extraordinary roadsides ; and <br /> WHEREAS , best practices for maintaining habitat and safe roads are available such as the <br /> " Roadside Best Management Practices that Benefit Pollinators " publication by the Federal <br /> Highway Administration and Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation ; <br /> NOW , THEREFORE. BE IT RESOLVED , that the Orange County Board of Commissioners <br /> recommend that all roadsides and rights - of-way be managed using best practices that benefit <br /> native pollinators and native wildflowers , such as minimizing the use of herbicides , and do <br /> hereby authorize the Commission for the Environment and County staff to work with the North <br /> Carolina Botanical Garden to encourage the NC Department of Transportation , utility <br /> companies , and property owners to plan , implement , and study such roadside and rights - of-way <br /> management practices . <br /> This the 18th day of December , 2018 . <br /> Penny Rich , Chair <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br /> Donna Baker , Clerk to the Board <br />